Weekend at Bernie's Inspired by High School Teacher

0:00It's March 24th. I'm Corey with The Story, and this is Entertainment and Celebrity News today, your AI-powered Entertainment Report. Andrew McCarthy's 1989 comedy weekend at Bernies drew from real life as he shares in his new book Who Needs Friends. The character Larry Wilson, played by McCarthy, was inspired by his high school English teacher named Eddie. This teacher influenced not just that role, but also McCarthy's style in other films. McCarthy met Eddie during his senior year, when the recent Columbia grad taught English for a semester. Eddie stood out with his retro 50 suits, motorcycle rides, and life in Greenwich Village, far from McCarthy's New Jersey suburb. McCarthy soon copied that cool vibe, shopping for baggy clothes and hitting revival theaters. That look shaped McCarthy's portrayal of the brooding rider in St. Elmo's Fire. For weekend at Bernies, he imagined Eddie as a total goofball to create Larry. One of two guys pretending their dead boss is alive at his beach house, to avoid trouble.

1:00The movie's wild premise led to a sequel in 1993, keeping audiences laughing at the antics. McCarthy's career spanned hits like Pretty and Pink, Less Than Zero, and Manakin, plus later TV roles and directing gigs on shows like Orange is the New Black. These days, McCarthy explores friendships in his latest book, Building on Memoirs about the brat pack and a walking trip with his son. It's a fresh look at the people who shaped his path.